A Note from the Alaska SBDC State Director | | |
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October is officially my favorite month. I am a HUGE fan of Halloween and all the fall fun that comes with it: crab apples, leaves changing color (even if it only lasts a week), an increasing number of moose roaming around my yard, and cold but not too cold weather. The heart of winter, with its six-foot snow drifts and 3 p.m. sunsets, is still a ways off, but hot apple cider and cocoa season are in full swing!
But those aren’t the only reasons to love October!
Businesses statewide are feeling the annual effect of the PFDs that hit bank accounts earlier this month. I definitely spent a large portion of mine on food and early holiday presents.
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The annual Alaska Entrepreneurship Week was a big success earlier this month as well! Over 45 events were held in communities all over Alaska, celebrating entrepreneurship, small businesses, and innovation.
Huge shout out to our AI Resource Program Director Carlos Machuca who was featured in Alaska Business magazine’s Top 49s in September! If you haven’t reached out to him about how AI can help your business you are missing out on an amazing resource.
Also, give Jay Halverson and the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) team a big round of applause for not only getting the State SSBCI program to its third tranche of funding but also launching the SSBCI Tribal Consortium last month. These are some of the largest and most successful SSBCI programs in the nation, largely because of their hard work.
Speaking of resources, it’s National Cooperative Month! If you’re interested in co-ops, you should check out the Alaska Cooperative Development Center. Barbara Johnson and her team are statewide experts on all things co-op and would love to discuss it with you.
Whatever you’re looking for this fall, I hope you know that the Alaska SBDC and all of our partner programs are here to help. We’ve got almost 40 years of experience!
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What's New at the Alaska SBDC | |
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The Alaska SBDC Summit is back! In addition to encouraging you to save the date—February 28, 2025—we’re calling for dynamic guest speakers and sponsors to join us as we explore the groundbreaking advancements in AI, healthcare, and business. This is your chance to connect with inspiring entrepreneurs and thought leaders shaping Alaska’s economic future.
Interested in sharing your expertise or supporting Alaska’s growth as a sponsor?
We'd love to talk with you! Contact us today at summit@aksbdc.org.
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October is here, and with it comes National Cooperative Month! Co-ops are member-owned businesses that have proven sustainable, with 60% surviving beyond five years compared to 50% of traditional businesses. They meet local needs, provide community-driven solutions, and support Alaska’s economy.
Join us this month as we explore co-ops with the Alaska Cooperative Development Center!
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As small business owners and entrepreneurs in Alaska know, the state’s diverse economic landscape presents unique opportunities and challenges.
From manufacturing and cooperative businesses, to celebrating Women’s Business Month and addressing cybersecurity, Alaska’s small businesses have many avenues for growth and innovation this month!
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It was a pleasure meeting with David Higgins, the IRS Stakeholder Liaison for Alaska, representing the IRS Communications & Liaison Division. We discussed potential partnerships aimed at supporting small businesses across the state, helping them better understand and meet their tax obligations! | | |
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State Director Jon Bittner and TREND Program & SSBCI Equity Director Tyler Arnold participated in an engaging legislative campus tour to explore how UAA faculty, staff, and students support Alaska's communities through education, creativity, innovation, research, and workforce development! | | |
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September's First Friday with Landmark Collective was an exciting event, as Misty O'Connor, our Mat-Su Center Director, joined a dynamic panel featuring industry experts from Beacon Media + Marketing and Bliss & Flourish Co; sharing insights on how businesses can effectively attract, engage, and convert customers with sales funnels. | | |
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Team Alaska SBDC was at the Academies of Anchorage Freshman Expo, talking about entrepreneurship as a career option and exploring how to use AI to get started in the planning and creative process! With 75+ exhibitors, the graduating class of 2028 is off to a strong and inspiring start! | | |
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Happy PFD Month, Alaska! Let's use this extra cash to support our local businesses where we can and keep our economy thriving! Pic credit: Director of Special Programs & Strategy Gretchen Fauske of State Director Jon Bittner who were in Sitka for the Emerging Leaders Southeast Summit! | |
The Alaska SBDC was proud to participate in 2024 Alaska Entrepreneurship Week, celebrating the success of local entrepreneurs and fostering collaboration across the state. The week highlighted innovative businesses and provided valuable resources for growth and development. Thank you to all who joined us! | |
As we approach Small Business Saturday on November 30, the Alaska SBDC and BuyAlaska encourage everyone to shop local and support the small businesses that are the backbone of our communities. By choosing to shop small, especially during the holiday season, we help sustain local economies and strengthen the unique character of Alaska. Let's continue this support year-round to ensure our small businesses thrive and grow! | | |
Alaska SBDC Workshops & Events | |
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Entrepreneurs are resilient and gritty. No matter the hour, we're right there with you.
Visit our website for our suite of statewide SBDC workshops or click on a featured workshop image below. Remember to ask your Alaska SBDC advisor about accessing client discounts on fee-based workshops!
All Alaska SBDC workshops are free for active duty military, spouses, and veterans. Contact us to set that up for you!
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Alaska SBDC Success Stories | |
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The Alaska SBDC has assisted businesses in starting and growing for almost 40 years.
We are pleased to present the latest success stories of entrepreneurs who have succeeded, partly due to the support they received from our committed team of advisors and program specialists. We are proud of their hard work and determination.
Explore statewide stories on our Success Stories webpage, or click below!
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Alaska SBDC Business Programs | | |
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Our AI Resource Program Director, Carlos Machuca, was featured in the Alaska Business Top 49ers issue!
He contributed to an article about appraising and enhancing a company's worth, which explored the importance of business valuation and the AI tools available through Alaska SBDC to make the process easier for business owners.
Carlos also presented "AI 101: A Practical Guide to Implementing AI in Healthcare Organizations" at the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority's Improving Lives pre-conference to explore how AI-based tools can improve care delivery and streamline administrative tasks.
The conference included 30+ presentations from 70+ experts to address behavioral health systems across Trust beneficiary groups and strengthen Alaska’s continuum of care.
Carlos also recently presented at America's SBDC National Conference and as GoDaddy's keynote speaker on implementing actionable AI in business practices and procedures!
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Support Women Entrepreneurs This October!
October is Women's Small Business Month! This month, rally behind Alaska’s amazing women entrepreneurs.
Every purchase makes a statement: you’re supporting dreams, hard work, and community growth.
Empower Alaskan women by choosing to shop local and amplify their incredible contributions!
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So far this year, the Alaska SSBCI program maintained its upward momentum, with total loan values rising to $77.1 million, up from $75.7 million in August, and an impressive 101 loans closed.
This ongoing trend highlights the steady demand for capital among Alaskan businesses, underscoring a robust and expanding economy.
The program also provided support to 86 businesses across 26 communities. Don't miss SSBCI's inaugural success stories: Pathfinder Aviation and Subway in Nenana!
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TREND Program Director Tyler Arnold met with SpaceLab founder Dauren Aubakirov. Aubakirov's company focuses on industrial technologies and develops 3D printers, IoVIT modems, and satellites.
Their work is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancements happening globally, and it was an inspiring morning well spent.
Get ready for some exciting news! TREND will reveal the Phase 0 winners next week. These startups are poised to greatly impact Alaska's innovation ecosystem!
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Partner & Statewide Updates | |
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Don't miss it: September's Alaska Business Trends dives deep: funding opportunities, statewide impact, and surprising demographics from our 2023 annual report.
October is National Cooperative Month! Learn more about starting or joining a co-op with our friends at the Alaska Cooperative Development Center.
The SBA Cyber Summit is October 16 and 25 - it's free and open to all!
The Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Alaska MEP) helps would-be entrepreneurs with training, consulting, and collaboration-focused industry programs, and leveraging government, university, and economic development partnerships.
America’s SBDC received funding from Google to establish America’s SBDC AI U, a national small business program dedicated to providing foundational AI training and 1:1 coaching to small businesses seeking to leverage AI’s potential.
To thrive in today’s market, companies must understand and respond to trends that can make commercial insurance more difficult and expensive to obtain—especially in Alaska.
SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced a new rule that will make it easier for small business owners to refinance debt using the SBA 504 Loan Program, empowering them to reduce their debt payments and/or access more affordable capital for expansion or growth. Learn more!
An outdoor cleaning equipment manufacturer, a professional mover, and an abatement and demolition expert check into a small boutique inn.. this group comprises the Alaska winners of the 2024 US Small Business Administration (SBA) awards.
Are you the next Small Business Week National Small Business Person of the Year?
Nominate your business for SBA district office and national awards by December 5!
SBA Awards Over $3 Million to Support STEM and R&D-Focused Small Businesses Through Growth Accelerator Fund
EXIM Encourages Businesses to Take Advantage of Tax Benefits
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Alaska SBDC is partly funded through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is a UAA Business Enterprise Institute partner program. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA-funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. | | | | |
